Survey on characteristics and challenges of synchromodal transportation in global cold chains

Conference paper (2017)

Authors

W. Guo Transport Engineering and Logistics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
W.W.A. Beelaerts van Blokland Transport Engineering and Logistics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
G. Lodewijks University of New South Wales
Research Group
Transport Engineering and Logistics (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Environmental impact Global cold chains Flexibility Synchromodal transportation Real-time switching
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Published Date

2017

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Marine and Transport Technology

Research Group

Transport Engineering and Logistics

Abstract

Transportation of perishables such as fruits and vegetables with short shelf life in international, long distance and cooled condition, plays a key role in global cold chains. Compared with truck transportation, intermodal transportation largely reduces logistics cost and emissions, however, has less flexibility for disturbances. Another aspect is that truck transportation occupies the largest share in inland transportation, which causes traffic congestion and environmental pollutions. Synchromodal transportation is a known method to study the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of transportation by using real-time information. However, limited articles can be found about the cold chain perspective, an integral analysis is missing. Our objective is to thoroughly analyze the characteristics and challenges of synchromodal transportation in global cold chains. The critical successful factors are analyzed at first. After that, we survey on planning problems in strategic, tactical and operational level, respectively. Finally, we conclude by suggesting further research directions.